The Announcement to Zechariah
Homily by Fr. Antonio Elfeghali

 After sin entered the world, the relationship between God & Man was broken. Man began to run from himself. He became afraid, unable to see or comprehend his Creator. He would blame God for his misery, his problems, and the evil in the world.
 God did not leave humanity alone. He began to reveal Himself gradually. The story began with a promise to Abraham: “Leave your country, your kindred and your father’s house for a country which I shall show you; and I shall make you a great nation... and all clans on earth will bless themselves by you.” (Genesis 12:1-3).

 With Abraham, the journey of the people of God began. The people had to go through slavery in Egypt, the desert, the exile, ... The prophets gave new promises of a New Jerusalem, the Messiah,...

 The historical event, the event of the fulfillment of God’s promises, began in the Temple of Jerusalem. The Lord God would reveal His Compassion (John = God’s Compassion). This “Compassion” (John the Baptist) would prepare the people to accept Christ, the son of God, the full revelation of God’s beautiful face.

 In Luke 1:1-25, we have 5 characters:

 1- Zechariah= God remembers: A priest, righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. He has a relationship with God. He has no children (fruit). He prays. He offers incense. An angel appeared to him. He announces that his prayer has been heard and that his fruit will be born: John = God’s Compassion.

 2- Elizabeth= God promises: A old woman, barren, no fruit, righteous before God.

 3- The whole assembly of the people: They were praying when the priest was offering incense, the angel appeared, and the announcement to the priest of God’s Compassion. They were praying when the angel announced the fulfillment of God’s promises to humanity. They were waiting for Zechariah = God remembers. They were waiting for God’s Promise = the Messiah = Jesus Christ.

 4- John = God’s Compassion: The fruit that will bring joy and gladness. The fruit that will be great in the sight of the Lord. The fruit that will be filled with the Holy Spirit. The fruit = Mission that will turn many of the people to the Lord their God. With the spirit and power of Elijah=The Lord is my God, the fruit will to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous. The fruit will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

 5- The angel Gabriel= God’s Power: He appears in the Temple, to a priest, while the whole assembly of the people are praying. He says, Do not be afraid. He announces that the prayer has been heard, that the fruit is coming, and that God remembers His Promise. The angel is standing in the Presence of God. He comes to talk to us and announce good news.

 THE PROMISE:

 In our lives on Earth, God promises us. He calls us and promises us.
 Example 1:
 God said to me: “Antonio, get out from this world, I will make you a priest forever.” That was a Promise. I followed Him. I experienced my weakness, my poverty, my fears... Then, the moment came for the promise to be fulfilled. God said: “Confirm your brothers and sisters in Faith.”
“I?”, I said, “How can this be? Look at my weakness. Look at my poverty. Look at me a sinner. Look at my lack of confidence. How can i do this? It is impossible.” And I remained silent in front of this great mystery, until the promise has been fulfilled in time.

 Example 2:
 God said to Abdo: “Leave your past. Join this community in your parish. I will make you a lay teacher.”
 That was a Promise. It seems far to achieve, but it motivated Abdo to follow the Lord as a lay person. He experienced his weakness and poverty. Then, the time came for the promise to be fulfilled. God said: “Abdo, begin to teach. Give conferences.” “How can I do that, Lord” Abdo asked “Look at my weakness. Look at my past. This is impossible.” Abdo remained silent until the promise has been fulfilled.

 Example 3:
 God said to Janet: “Janet, leave your despair. I will make you a person who will change people’s hearts.” That was a beautiful promise for Janet that made her leave everything and join a small community in her parish. She followed Christ. She experienced her weakness. Then, the moment came when God said to her: “Janet, encourage the weak. Visit the sick. Welcome the stranger.” “How is that? Look at my fears. Look at my weakness” Janet said “It is impossible.” Janet remained silent until the fulfillment of God’s promise.

 THE MARONITE MASS:

My friend, at Mass, you are like:

 1- Abraham: You encounter the Lord. You are given a promise. When the priest lifts up the Body of Christ, you are in the Presence of the Trinity. You receive a promise.

 2- The Assembly of the people: You pray with other believers. You make your journey in desert, in exile. You wait for the One who would set you free. You wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled.

 3- Zechariah: You have a relationship with God. You are given the good news that God’s promise would be fulfilled. When the priest holds the Body of Christ and lifts it up, you receive an announcement: “You will have a mission that will bring joy and gladness. This mission will be great in the sight of the Lord. It will be filled with the Holy Spirit. It will turn many of the people to the Lord their God. It will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

 4- Elizabeth: You are barren, without fruit. You pray waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise. When you see your fruit, your mission, the promise fulfilled, you say: “This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked favorably on me and took away the disgrace I have endured among my people.”